MADISON, Wis. – State Sen. Glenn Grothman wants to take his fight against “government dependency” to Washington.

The West Bend Republican on Thursday announced he will challenge long-time U.S. Rep. Tom Petri for the 6th Congressional District seat Petri has held for 35 years.

Speculation has grown in recent weeks that Grothman, among of the most conservative members of a state Legislature dominated by Republicans, would challenge Petri, a Republican who has been wrapped for selling out conservative principals and a “go-along, get-along” style of representation.